The election: On Jan. 31, voters in District 3, in the northwest part of the city, will choose their commissioner.

The candidates: Incumbent Iris Siple has served two terms on the City Commission and works as an administrator at the Broward County Clerk of Courts. She owned and operated the well-known Pines' eatery Mayday's Restaurant for most of the 1990s and has served on numerous city and county boards.

She says her accomplishments in office include helping to improve Pines' competitive bidding process and to hire a commission auditor to keep finances transparent and free of waste.

Christopher Ziadie has never been elected to public office, though he ran for the Broward County District 8 seat last year against Barbara Sharief. He has managed retail stores for 27 years, including a Bed, Bath & Beyond and a Toys R Us. He's on the finance and personnel committees at his Baptist church and met his wife at a church function.

"I'm a regular guy that wants to make a difference for my community and my city that I love," he said.

The background: In District 3, a large group of residents opposes the proposed Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detention center. The current commission has voted to seek legal means of blocking the fight, despite City Attorney Sam Goren's statements that the city is asking for a lawsuit.

Pembroke Pines' budget this year had no significant cuts and taxes went down 1 percent, but the fire fee went up and residents were vocally outraged.

The development of long-empty City Center is moving ahead after years of inactivity.

This commission will probably have to find a way to recycle most of its wastewater because of a state law; the only project they've come up with to date would cost $47 million to start.

The issues: If property values don't go up next year, the city could face a tax hike or cuts.

And this commission may face the sale of City Center land that Pines bought prior to the economic collapse and may have trouble selling for a profit. This commission may also decide what amenities go in City Center, such as a proposed 5,000-seat theater.

The detention center will be central in the election for many voters, since Siple has been the commissioner working most actively to block it.

The positions: Siple and Ziadie agree on almost everything.

Both say they would work hard to block the detention center, using methods within the law.

Both say the budget is still full of "waste." Both say they are experienced and austere budgeters who can tackle the problem, Siple because of her commission experience and Ziadie because of his years budgeting for retailers.

Siple says she'll keep the budget in check by strengthening the city's competitive bidding process and by reducing the city manager's salary. Ziadie said he would "take a hard look" at the budget.

Both oppose spending more money at City Center than necessary to satisfy residents, so both oppose the 5,000-seat theater.